Have you ever heard the story about the princess and the frog? Sure you know the one. This princess is enjoying her golden ball when unexpectedly it drops into a stream. The ball is rescued by a frog. Short version princess kisses frog and frog becomes a prince.
This story is originally a German tale by the master story weavers the Brothers Grimm; it's called The Frog King. In the original version instead of a kiss the princess gets very irritated at all the questions of the frog and violently throws it against a wall. SPLAT - Instant Prince!
Encounter the wall and encounter the truth.
We spend a great deal of time hoping to be "kissed" by a Royal and rescued from toad-ness. Honestly, Toad-ness is a trap. Its a curse placed on us that we cannot escape on our own. no way of escape, purchase of escape, or earning through goodness.
Toad-ness becomes a way of life. Sure something inside of us cries out that we must be more than all this-royalty even. But we appear to be stuck this way - slimy, green, and longing for flies.
Toad-ness, after a while, becomes familiar and comfortable. It even starts to feel normal. The apostle Paul even felt this way - he claimed, in so many words, that he was the ugliest toad of all - 1 Timothy 1:15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst.
The Frog King was released because of the kindness (albeit begrudgingly given) of the Princess on three nights - what was the kindness she gave? In a word, GRACE.
Grace is the KISS that releases us! Look at the grace-kiss: Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.... The passionate kiss of grace is Jesus Christ...encounter the wall - encounter the truth!
The only way our toad-ness can be changed is through Jesus!
Always Enthusiastic,
Dr. Rusty Newman
Friday, March 5, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Where you going?
Where are you going? This is the question that leaders help people wrestle with. It happened in the life of Israel - Moses at the border of new territory proceeded to give a challenge to the people. It may be a challenge for us today as well.
"Choose to love the Lord your God and to obey Him and commit yourself to him, for He is your life. Then you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." Deuteronomy 30.20
Where are you going? Are you going into new territory? Are you heading into uncertainty? Are you living in enemy territory? No matter - make a choice. It is up to you to decide. Choose to love the Lord God, obey him and make a commitment of your life. He will provide. He will protect. He will bless you.
I close with this prayer:
My Father, You are the Lord my God. I desire to love you, listen to your voice, and hold fast to you, for you, Lord, are my life. I have made my choice. Amen!
Always Enthusiastic,
Rusty Newman
"Choose to love the Lord your God and to obey Him and commit yourself to him, for He is your life. Then you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." Deuteronomy 30.20
Where are you going? Are you going into new territory? Are you heading into uncertainty? Are you living in enemy territory? No matter - make a choice. It is up to you to decide. Choose to love the Lord God, obey him and make a commitment of your life. He will provide. He will protect. He will bless you.
I close with this prayer:
My Father, You are the Lord my God. I desire to love you, listen to your voice, and hold fast to you, for you, Lord, are my life. I have made my choice. Amen!
Always Enthusiastic,
Rusty Newman
Thursday, February 4, 2010
BTL!
This is what the Lord says: Do not be afriad! don't be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God's. 2 Chronicles 20.15 NLT
It is so difficult to not be afriad. Sometimes, we can only see the enemy and the obstacles. We seem to know the difficulties and the challenges more than anyone else.
We ask ourselves: Do I have enough for the struggle? You know "enough" - desire, tenacity, drive, determination, resources, commitment, skill, friends, knowledge, leadership... Do I really have enough?
In the spiritual realm do I have "ENOUGH" - faith, prayer, anointing, favor... Or even "enough" healing from past wounds...
I'm wrestling with all these issues in attempting to overcome fear. I think all of us are too. All this is minor if you keep the FACT that this battle is not your battle but God's.
Listen up - Hear this loud and clear - the ALMIGHTY One, The One and Only God says - He speaks to you (powerful huh?) "I've got this one! don't be scared you have enough cause you have ME. Discouragement can run away because encouragement is flooding from within - in the place that I reign! relax, no FEAR! I've got this - watch and see!
So through this day keep in mind these letters - BTL. You can share them - BTL. You can remember them - BTL. You can even say them - BTL.
Battle is The Lord's!
Always Enthusiastic,
Rusty
It is so difficult to not be afriad. Sometimes, we can only see the enemy and the obstacles. We seem to know the difficulties and the challenges more than anyone else.
We ask ourselves: Do I have enough for the struggle? You know "enough" - desire, tenacity, drive, determination, resources, commitment, skill, friends, knowledge, leadership... Do I really have enough?
In the spiritual realm do I have "ENOUGH" - faith, prayer, anointing, favor... Or even "enough" healing from past wounds...
I'm wrestling with all these issues in attempting to overcome fear. I think all of us are too. All this is minor if you keep the FACT that this battle is not your battle but God's.
Listen up - Hear this loud and clear - the ALMIGHTY One, The One and Only God says - He speaks to you (powerful huh?) "I've got this one! don't be scared you have enough cause you have ME. Discouragement can run away because encouragement is flooding from within - in the place that I reign! relax, no FEAR! I've got this - watch and see!
So through this day keep in mind these letters - BTL. You can share them - BTL. You can remember them - BTL. You can even say them - BTL.
Battle is The Lord's!
Always Enthusiastic,
Rusty
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)